Jenny Simpson Is the 1500-Meter Gold Medalist

One of the smartest and gutsiest American middle distance runners did, after a span of assorted problems, appear to be coming into form at precisely the right time. And now she's the first American

female middle distance gold medalist at a World Championships since Mary Decker Slaney in 1983 - and maybe everyone will stop asking her when she's going back to the steeplechase. Simpson, a Floridian who as Jenny Barringer became a superstar at the University of Colorado, was in seventh place on the last lap but summoned her typical sprint finish to emerge as World Champion in Daegu in the 1500 with a 4:05.40, with Hannah England of Great Britain, who attended Florida State University, the silver medalist in 4:05.68. Natalia Rodriguez of Spain, who was passed by Simpson and England, was the bronze medalist in 4:05.87. Unfortunately, Morgan Uceny was knocked down in the race and finished tenth. Bahrain's Maryam Jamal, generally considered the favorite, slowed on the final lap and came in 12the and last. We'll have further details on Simpson's triumph later in the day. I'm not going to make a pretense of journalist impartiality here. This is the best development for elite American middle distance and distance running since Deena Kastor was winning marathons. Simpson gave us a terrific Brief Chat right before leaving for Daegu - the credit for it's being terrific entirely goes to her - and when I called a friend this morning to tell her about this victory I was choked up. Maybe we all should be. (photo of Jenny Simpson by Victah Sailer)More (Simpson Video)